Boat structure



A. D. IRVING BOAT STRUCTURE Dec. 14, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb..12, 1965 I NVENTOR Dec. 14, 1965 A. D. IRVING 3,223,066

BOAT STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 12, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent3,223,066 BOAT STRUCTURE Alfred D. Irving, 7290 21st Ave., Ville St.Michel, Quebec, Canada Filed Feb. 12, 1965, Ser. No. 432,943 Claims.((11. 114-665) This invention relates to improvements in watercraft ofthe high speed planning type.

It is conventional practice in the design of high speed watercraft toprovide various types of hydrofoils and similar devices such as forinstance planning depths whereby a comparatively small amount of thewatercraft actually touches the water surface during a high speed run.In such designs it is also conventional practice to provide planningdepths staggered in position from the forward end of the craft to theaft end.

While such methods do in fact aid in increasing the speed of thewatercraft the devices resorted to ordinarily increase drag on watersurface which results in the utmost speed being somewhat limited.Alternatively, larger and more powerful motors have been resorted to inorder to increase the speed of watercraft, this in turn results inincreased drag due to the inefiiciency of the planning or hydrofoilsurfaces.

By resort to the present invention however, a low drag and highlyeflicient watercraft is obtained with increased manoeuvreability,particularly on high speed turns.

It is an object of the present invention therefore to provide awatercraft wherein a series of planes are utilized in order that thecraft may be progressively lifted from the water as the speed isincreased thereby to reduce the Water drag thereon.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide awatercraft wherein means are provided to steer the craft by the actionof the wind force on movable portions as the craft is propelled throughthe water. A still further object of the present invention is to providea watercraft which incorporates together with the supporting planes atransition plane in order that the lifting force from each series ofplanes will be transferred gradually thereby retaining an even forceduring acceleration of the craft.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description and accompanying drawings in which likenumerals refer to like parts throughout the various views:

FIGURE 1 is a bottom plane view of a presently preferred embodiment ofthe invention;

FIGURE 2 is a frontal view of the embodiment as illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side view of the embodiment as illussrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged plan view of a movable aileron for use with thepresent invention;

FIGURE 5 is a section along the line 55 of FIGURE FIGURE 6 is a view inthe direction of the arrow 5 in FIGURE 4;

FIG. 7 is a view of a rudder;

FIG. 8 is a view of the pulley system for actuating the tillers.

With reference to FIGURE 1, FIGURE 2, and FIG- URE 3, a watercraftindicated generally as 11 is illus trated and comprises a hull portion12 threaded with a pair of side Wings 13 and 14. The wings extendsubstantially the length of the hull 12 and curve downwardly as shown inFIGURE 2 to provide the rear most tip 15 and 16.

A first pair of planes 17 and 18 are secured to the underside of thehull 12 in parallel, spaced apart relationship to extend substantiallythe length of the hull 12. The planes 17 and 18 project a distance belowthe hull bottom in order to be immersed in the water while the craft 11is at rest.

At intermediate plane 19 is secured to the underside of the hull 12 andprojects there below a distance somewhat greater than the distance ofthe pair of planes 17 and 18.

A second pair of planes 20 and 21 are secured to the underside of thefirst pair of planes 17 and 18 and project a distance there belowsomewhat greater than the projection distance of the plane 19.

In this way a pair of side planes 17 and 18 and a second pair 20 and 21are provided whereby progressively the craft 11 can be lifted from thewater as it proceeds in a forward direction. The mid planes 19 serves toact as a transition support during the change from the first pair ofplanes 17 and 18 to the second pair of planes 20 and 21.

During the forward motion of the craft the side wings 15 and 16depending downwardly in curved fashion have their lower most endwisetips as at 22 and 23 touching the surface of the water. During extremelyhigh speed runs the craft is entirely borne on the second pair of planes20 and 21. During normal manoeuvres one or the other of the tips 22 and23 will touch the surface of the water this having the effect ofstabilizing the craft from too much roll during a high speed turn.

With reference to FIGURE 4, FIGURE 5, and FIG- URE 6, means forcontrolling the aileron is illustrated wherein an aileron as at 24 or 25is provided in the forward portion of each of the wings 22 and 23respectively. As shown in the enlargement in FIGURE 4 the aileron 25 ishinged on the hinge points as at 26 and is adapted to move upwardly ordownwardly according to control responses as received from the manualcontrols in the cockpit.

It should be noted here that the particular arrangement of control asrequired for the operation of the craft can be any one of severalconventional types of control and for this reason the specific type hasnot been illustrated in the drawings.

It is considered preferable however to provide a hydraulic cylinder 27operable on the link arm 28 in order that the shaft 29 secured rigidlyto the aileron 25 at the hinge point 26 and be operated from a remoteposition such as the cockpit indicated at 30 in FIGURE 3.

With reference to FIGURE 7 and FIGURE 8, separate means for controllingthe manoeuvres of the craft are illustrated wherein a rudder 31 is shownhingeably secured to the rudder post 32 whereby the rudder 31 can befolded up out of the way into the well as at 33 upon the craft beingoperated in shallow water.

A conventional tiller 34 is provided on each rudder, the operation ofthe tiller post 32 and 35 being effected through the pulley system 36.

It will be further understood that other means for controlling therudder can be resorted to and that the means shown are done by way ofexample only.

The driving or propulsion means for the device can be an outboard motoras at 37 in FIGURE 3 or other means such as an inboard motor, can beresorted to if so desired. In addition it will be understood that stillfurther means such as for instance reaction type motors can also beutilized with this device.

In use the craft can be suitably propelled over the water surface andduring acceleration the first and second pair of planes together withthe mid plane act to lift the craft clear out of the water. Also at thistime the side wings 13 and 14 also contribute to lift by means 3 of thevt 'ater passing' there beneath to provide a lifting three; as a"eeleratien rogre ses the first pair or plaiies 1? and 18 lift lea'r erthe w terand the lower planes 2e and 21 together with the mid iaaes 19erves to support the craft. At still further high speeds the mid plane13 leaves the water and the two planes 20 and 21 support the craft onthe water surface together with the aetionof the side wings 15 and 16.It will also be seen that during de-acceleration the reverse actiontakes place and the craft gradually sinks back into the water is befloated by the hall 12.

Frdni the fdrgtiing it will be seen that the present invention providesa watercraft with high speed ddfiatiilh ties whereby the craft can besupported on a comparatively small lifting surface during the high speedrun and which is adaptable by progressive means to be taken from a fullyfloating position to a high speed supported position.

It will be further understood that although specific embodiments of theinvention have herein been described and illustrated, the invention alsocontemplates such variations as may fall within the scope of theappended dairies l 1 A water ciaft sern ri in e iiieaiis fer drivingsaid craft dvrifiatr; a trail saving a rat-ward end an aft end: firstpair 5f planes secured to the irfider's'ide pfsaid gall iri a fore anidan aii aeii, said first air er planes eing spaced .apartdri paralllrelatioriship, aria to are ject was said min and rside; a mid pa esecui'ed is said hull underside in a for rift directiqnpupstan tiallyparallel to and mid way between said first pair of planes, and toproject a distance below said hull uriderside greater than theprojection distance of said pair; and, a second pair of planes securedto the undersides of said first pair in a fore and aft direction toproject a distance therebelow greater than the projection distance ofsaid mid plane, whereby upon said means driving said craft forwardly inwater, said planes will lift said craft suecessi'v'eliy out of the wateruntil supported enthan on said seeend pair of planes, said mid planeacting to add support during transitidii from said first pair to saidsecond plane pairt A Water craft com rising: means for driving saideraft over water; a hull having a forward end and an aft end; a firstpair of planes secured to the underside of said hull in a fore and aftdirection, said first pair of planes being spaced apart in parallelrelationship, and to project below said hull underside; a mid planesecured to said ball underside in a fore and aft direction substantiallyparallel to and mid way between said first pair of planes, and toproject a distance below said hull underside greater than the projectiondistance of said first pair; a second pair of planes secured to theunder= sides of said first pair in a fore and aft direction to project adistance therebelow greater than the projection distance of said midplane, whereby upon said means driving said craft forwardly in water,said planes will lift said craft successively out of the water untilsupported entirely on said second pair of planes, said mid plane actingto add support during transition from said first pair to said secondplane pair; and a pair of side wings curve downwardly, secured to anextending substantially the length of said craft to either side thereofto aid in supporting and guiding said craft. 7 N

3. A water craft comprising: means for driving said craft over water; ahull having a forward end and an 'aft end; a first pair of planessecured to the underside of said hull in a fore and aft direction, saidfirst pair of planes being spaced apart in parallel relationship, and toproject below said hull underside; a mid plane secured to said hullunderside in a fore and aft direction sub stantially parallel to and midway between said first pair of planes, and to project a distance belowsaid hull underside greater than the projection distance of said firstpair; a second pair of planes secured to the underside of said first"pair in a fore and aft direction to project a distance therebelowgreater than the projection distance of said mid plane, whereby uponsaid means driving said craft forwardly in water, said planes will liftsaid craft successfully out of the water until supported entirely onsaid second pair of planes, said mid plane acting to add support duringtransition from said first pair to said second plane pair; rudder meansfor steering said craft; and, a pair of side wings curved downwardly,secured to and extending substantially the length of said craft toeither side thereof to aid in supporting and guiding said craft.

4. A Water craft comprising: means for driving said craft over water; ahull having a forward end and an aft end; a first pair of planes securedto the underside of said hull in a fore and aft direction, said firstpair of planes being spaced apart in parallel relationship, and toproject below said hull underside; a mid plane secured to said hullunderside in a fore and aft direction substantially parallel to and midway between said first pair of planes, and to project a distance belowsaid hullunderside greater than the projection distance of said firstpair; a second pair of planes secured to the under-- sides sf said firstpair in a fore and aft direction to pro ject a distance therebelowgreater than the projection distafice of" said r'nid plane, whereby uponsaid means driving said craftforwardly in water, said planes will lift said craftsuccessively out of the Water until supported entirely as saidsecond pair of planes, said mid plane acting to add support duringtransition from said first pair to said second pittrie pair; a pair ofside wings curved downwardly, secured to and extending substantially thelength of said craft to either side thereof to aid in supporting andguiding said craft; and an aileron device secured to the forward end ofeach said side wings and operable to steer said craft at high speeds.

5. A water craft comprising: means for driving said craft over water; ahull having a forward end and an aft end; a first pair of planes securedto the underside of said hull in a fore and aft direction, said firstpair of planes being spaced apart in parallel relationship, and toproject below said hull underside; a mid plane secured to said hullunderside in a fore .and aft direction substantially parallel to and midway between said first pair of planes, and to project a distance belowsaid hull underside greater than the projection distance of said pair; asecond pair of planes secured to the undersides of said first pair in afore and aft direction to project a distance therebelow greater than theprojection distance of said mid plane, whereby upon said means drivingsaid craft forwardly in water, said planes will lift said craftsuccessively out of the water until supported entirely on said secondpair of planes, said mid plane acting to add support during transitionfrom said first pair to said second plane pair; rudder means forsteering said craft; a pair of side wings curved downwardly, secured toand extending substantially the length of said craft to either sidethereof to aid in supporting and guiding said craft; and an ailerondevice secured to the forward end of each said side wings and operableto steer said craft at high speeds.

No references cited.

MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner.

ANDREW H,- FARRELL, Examiner.

1. A WATER CRAFT COMPRISING: MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID CRAFT OVER WATER; AHULL HAVING A FORWARD END AN AFT END: A FIRST PAIR OF PLANES SECURED TOTHE UNDERSIDE OF SAID HULL IN A FORE AND AFT DIRECTION, SAID FIRST PAIROF PLANES BEING SPACED APART IN PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP, AND TO PROJECTBELOW SAID HULL UNDERSIDE; A MID PLANE SECURED TO SAID HULL UNDERSIDE INA FORE AND AFT DIRECTION SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO AND MID WAY BETWEENSAID FIRST PAIR OF PLANES, AND TO PROJECT A DISTANCE BELOW SAID HULLUNDERSIDE GREATER THAN THE PROJECTION DISTANCE OF SAID PAIR; AND, ASECOND PAIR OF PLANES SECURED TO THE UNDERSIDES